An American citizen working for the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) was reportedly stabbed in neck last week while walking in downtown Rangoon, according to an internal memo obtained by DVB.

On 13 June, the WFP employee was walking down Alanpya Phaya Road in Rangoon’s Dagon township around 9:45pm when an unidentified male assailant stabbed her in the neck then proceeded to flee the scene.

According to a report posted on the Rangoon Police Department’s Facebook page, the victim was able to reach the nearby Rangoon General Hospital, where she underwent an operation, and was in stable condition after surgery.

“Knowing the guy has not been caught and not knowing his motives has left people feeling a bit nervous,” said Ali Fowle, a freelance journalist based in Rangoon, adding that foreigners generally viewed the city as safe and were taken aback by the recent assault.

“The attack happened in an area which is heavily populated by foreigners, right next to the British compound and close to Nawayday and York Road (Yaw Min Gyi), so people are still uneasy and planning to be cautious.”

Following the incident the UNHCR’s safety advisor in Rangoon sent an email warning UN staff to avoid walking down dark, empty streets alone.

Dagon township’s police department are in the process of investigating the assault; however, the office was unavailable for comment when contacted by DVB.

According to a representative from the US embassy, American officials provided the victim with assistance following the incident and confirmed that she was transfered to Bangkok on 15 June where she is now recovering.

UN officials in Rangoon were also unavailable for comment.

This story was updated on 21 June 2013.